Process of preparing and registering printing sheets or films



NO v. 26, 1929. W. c. HUL-:BNER 1,736,914

PROCESS OF PREPARING AND REGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS OR FILMS OriginalFiled July 5l. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 26, 1929. w. c. HUEBNER1,736,914

PROCESS OF PREPARING AND REGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS OR FILMS I OriginalFiled July 5l, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENTOFFICE WILLIAM C. H-UEBNER, F BUFFALO, NEW YORK PROCESS OF REPARING ANDREGISTERING PRINTING SHEETS 0B FILMS w Application ledrJuly 31, 1924,Serial No. 729,277.l Renewed May 5, 1928.

This invention relates to a process whereby image-bearing sheets orfilmsfor use in multicolor printing and the like, or for 'other purposes,maybe prepared or treated so as to for instance for poster work, the useof glass plates or lithographie stones is very expensive, and further,owing to the large area to be covered, the job must be done in sections,that is, a number of separate plates are used,

each bearing a different'portion of the final picture or image, andthese portions must not only register accurately with the originalimage, or with a layout sheet or the like, but,

the abutting edges of the sections must regisf` ter accurately with eachother.

As is well known, there are manydisadvantages in the use of glass forthis purpose. The surfaces of the glass plates are somet1mes not flatbut wavy, and at other times the opposite faces of the plates are notparallel; again there are variations in thefthickness of a series ofglass plates for one color job, or for the diii'erent sections of alarge image. These imperfections in the glass add tothe diilculties inregistration of the images on the press plates, and also prevent perfectcontact between the glass plates and the press plates or print-receivingsurfaces. Further, it is difticult to handle large plates of glass in l0quantity production during thegvarious operations of exposure anddevelopment and the other finishing operations; many plates are brokenin various Ways, such as by cracking, due to uneven pressure as a resultof the uneven'surfaces or varying thickness before mentioned. Finally,the expense attendant upon the use of glass plates 1s very great, aslarge quantities of glass are accumulated, re-v sulting in a largeunproductive investment,

and expense and inconvenience in the storprint-receiving surface canreadily be ob tained. Moreover, the relatively uniform ythickness ofphotographic films, paper, tracing cloth and other materials adapted tobear printing images makes the use of such materials very desirable formulticolor work.

However, the use of such films or sheets for multicolor or other workrequiring' a number of images that must all register exA actly as todimensions and position one with another and with the original or withla master copy, layout or other registering device or guide, has notheretofore been considered feasible owing to thecharacteristic tendencyof the materials of which the films or sheets were made to shrink andexpand or otherwise change condition either generally or locally, whichwould cause misregister of the prints made fromjthe sheets, hencenullifying the otherwise desirable qualities of such films or sheets.The films or sheets not only change form or dimensions, due to theirimmersion in water and otherliquids and ,their drying during theldevelopment, washing, etc., of the sheet, but theyare affected bysubsequent hu-E` A midity andtemperature changes in the atand otherprinting images may be employed and the advantages thereof realized inthe product-ien of printing plates or elements bearings images of asubject or subjects, so that nevertheless all of the images of thesubject or subjects may be registered exactly one lof sectional images,each on a separate sheet,

may be produced and be adapted to register or match with the adjacentsections to form a continuous, unbroken whole.

Another object is to prepare the films or sheets after registration, sothat they are `adapted for use as printing elements in a photo composingor other photographic printing apparatus for Vmaking metal or otherpress plates, and so that they will retain their images in registeredsize and exact predetermined position 'during such use, regardless ofordinary atmospheric changes; also to so .prepare the films or sheetsthat they will be substantially unaltered by'subsequent atmosphericchanges or moisture, and will only need a simple manipulation toregister them again with thev original master image, guide v or layout,or with one another, or to bring them to the predetermined size to whichthey were originally made.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig.v 1 -is a plan view of a fiexible sheet or film arranged on a frameon which it may be treated in accordance with this invention.

Fi s. 2 and 3 are transverse sectional views showing the released andholding positions respectively of one of the gripping devices orclips1for securing the flexible sheet, on the frame shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the frame and sheetarranged in relation to a light opening in a light box or chamber.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the use of an image positioning device orguide for determining the position of an image on the fiexible sheet orfilm.

In preparing a film or sheet, such as on of a plurality of colornegatives .of a subject in accordance with this invention, the sheet onwhich an image has been made by photographic or other method is mountedon a suitable frame, preferably portableyhaving a light aperture oropening over which the sheet extends andequipped with clips or holdindevices which are suitably formed togrip or old the edges f the sheet,and are adapted to be adjusted relatively to the frame to drawlthe'sheet smooth and'taut thereon, and also to stretch or extend thesheet. The frame preferably includes a bearing ridge or porface of the.sheet and a flat printing'plate or surface which may project beyond oneor more edges of the sheet. The sheet is now moistened in any suitableway, or is otherwise suitably treated to render it extensible,

and the clips or holding devices are then manipulated tostretch thesheet either generally or locally, as required, until the image orregister marks thereon register approximately with a master image orother registering device or guide in juxtaposition therewith, or untilby measurement or other method the image or register is ascertained vtoaccord in size and position with the required predetermined layout orregistering and checking means. In some cases more than one moistening.and stretching operation will be necessary to bring the image orregister marks on the sheet approximately to the required positions, inwhich event the sheet is dried between successive stretchingoperations.`

After the approximate register has been obtained, by moistening andstretching as stated, the sheet is dried thoroughly while beingmaintained in the stretched condition,

and is then treated to make it impervious to 4 moisture and preventvariations therein due to atmospheric changes, as( by applying asuitable oil, varnish, or lacquer to the sheet.

When this has been done the sheet is given a final tightening orstretching to bring it to exact register byv either of the above meth-`ods of registration, after which the sheet may beused, still on theframe, in a photographic printing machine or otherwise, to obtain one ormore imag or prints therefrom on a print-receiving urface, such as ametal press plate; or a number ofsheets prepared as descrlbed andbearing different color images of a subject may be so used to produce aset of accurately registered color printing plates.

I n `the drawings, Fig. l., a -sheet or film A 1s shown, bearing images10 and register marks 11, which are to be registered with like imagesand register marks 10il and 11a respectively, 0n a registering plate B.The

images 10 and register marks 11 are shown as being out of registerwiththe images 10a and cross marks 11a due to the shrinkingv eftheisheet after the production of thc images thereon. It is, therefore,necessary to treat the sheet as `explained so that it may be lstretchedto bring the two sets ot images and register marks into exact register.A

A frame and holding and stretching devices of any Suitable sort may beused for the purpose stated, but preferably a :trame and devices of theconstruction shown in the drawings are employed. While this constructionis specially adapted for use in carrying out the process of the presentinvention, it is not specifically claimed herein, as the same forms thesubject matter of a separate application for Letters Patent, SerialNumber 742,919, ledOct. 10, 1924.

Briefly described, the frame, designated C, and the holding devices or`clips D, are constructed and arranged as 'foll0ws:--

The frame C comprises side and end barsthe face of the frame so as tosupport the,

sheet or film A oi the face of the frame and spanning over the opening13. A'plurality of the clipsfor film gripping devices D is adjustablypositioned on the frame B outside ofthe ridge 14 so that theyma'y bemoved'both endwise and\sidewise relatively to the ridgei14. Each of theclips D comprises a pair of gripping members 18, 19v

one of which, 18, is adapted to bear and slide on the frame bars 12.rlhe other member 19 overlies the member 18, one end otI the member 19having a jaw 20 adapted to be moved to and from a jaw 21 on the member18 while its other end :fulcrums on,a rib 22 on the member 18, remotefrom the jaws and 21'. rlhe jaws 2() and 21 are normally held in open,position by suitable means, such as a leaf spring 23 between the clipmembers yso that the edge of the sheet or film A may be readily insertedin or re moved from the clip.l Each clip `is provided with one or morepivoted eccentrics or cam levers 24, adapted to be swung or depressed toact in opposition-to the springs 23 and force the clip member k19towards the other member 18, so that the jaws 20, 21 will firmly grip,the edge of the sheet A.

'lhe clip members 18 are provided with,op'

to tighten yor stretch the sheet as required by suitable straining orclip actuating devices for each clip, such as a screw 27 having `a head28 engaging the outer face of a fixed flange or rib 29 extendingupwardly from 'the frame 'bars 12, parallel to and spaced from thebearing ridge 14, outwardly beyond the clips D. The threaded shank ofthe screw 27 extendsilosely through an lelongated aperture or slot 30 inthe rib 29 arel all located between the plane of the outer face of theridge 14 and the upper face of the bars 12, with the jaws 2,0, 21relatively near this plane, so that when the edges of the sheet aresecured in the jaws, the sheet may be drawn taut over and down on Theregistering plate B, bearing the image or register marks with which itis desired to register the image or marks on the sheet, may be securedrelatively to the frame C in anysuitable manner, for instance, as shownin the drawings, theplate is removably secured directly in the frameopening by wedges, quoins or the like 33 with its image.

bearing surface close t0 andv preferably in contact with the undersideof the sheet A.'

The frame C with thesheet- A and registerin plate B may be convenientlyplaced relatively to a suitable ysource of light, asoy the sheet A hasbeen secured on the frame C andthe clips D have been adjustedsuticiently to draw the sheet taut over the opening 13, the relativepositions of the images on the sheet and plate are noted, and if it isfound that the sheet is shrunken so that its images 10 or registeringmarks 11 are out of register with the images 10n or register marks l1aof the plate B, as indicated for instance in. Fig. 1, the sheet istreated in accordance with the process of this invention to render l itextensible either as a Whole or in part only,

andis stretched or manipulated to bring the images l and register marks1l irst into approximate registration, and then into final accurateregistration with the images a and register marks 11a.

The preferred treatment for the sheet is to render it extensible, as bythe use of Water,

. applied either as a spray or in the form of steam or vapor, or bydirect application of Water with a sponge or the like. `In some cases asolution of Water and other substances may be used, or a greasy solutionmay be called for, depending on the composition of the sheet or film andthe degree of saturation required. j

The application VVof moisture will softenv the sheet somewhat and enableit to be i stretched to a certain extent Without injury,

and While in this condition the screws 28 are manipulated to pull themarginal portions of the sheet over the ridge 14 and thereby stretch thedesired portions of the sheet, or thevwhole sheet to shift and draw itsimages and register marks into register With those on the registeringplate B. There is, of course, a limit to Which the 'sheet maybe safelystretched aftervthe soaking or moistening step, and if, after it hasbeen stretched,

in the judgment of the operator, to such ak limit, and the images arenot in approximate register, the sheet is dried as by the application qfheat from a suitable heater,or by the use of a fan, or both, While thesheet is under tension, and then the sheet is given a further moisteningand stretching, and again dried as before. In this WayL the sheet may begradually and safely stretched until the required registration isobtained. In some ,cases 1t may only be necessary to moisten and dry thesheet once' to obtain the desired result. In

-either case, after approximate register has been obtained, and thesheet has been thor# stretched slightly, givesthe sheet the necessarytransparency required to adapt it for use as a transparent photographicnegative 0r printing element. After ,the oil has been applied-to thesheet, the clips are again adjusted and the sheet stretched until itsimages or register marks are in accurate register with the images orregistering parts of the registering plate or device,`

In some cases the flexible Iilm or sheet bears' an image made to adifferent scale, or is larger or smaller than the original from which itWas taken, but which has been neversions after such treatments, due toatmospheric changes, the image Will not be the exact size it Was made,and its register marks Will not correspond to the predeterminedrequirements. Obviously, the scale of the image being different from theimage on the original plate, stone of other element, the image on thesheet cannot be registered therewith by visual observation, as in thecase of the sheet A and plate B.

When, therefore, such an image is to be registered., differentregisteringmeans are employed'. For instance, after the sheet has beenmounted in the frame C with its edges secured in the clips D as before,the frame with the sheet thereon can be placed into operative relationto a source of light as before, and also to a suitableimage registeringand checking apparatus, the apparatus shoWnin Fig. 5 being Well adaptedfor this purpose. This apparatus if provided with graduated scale bars FF disposedat right angles to ea.h other and adapted to be adjustedrela.- tively to each other and to t-he frame C over the face of thesheet, so that, When the sheet is moistened or oiled as beforedescribed, the sheet may be st-retched and the register marks lthereonaccurately checked-or registered as required With refere ce to the scalebars. The frame C may be onveniently arranged and held in apredetermined, operative position relatively to the registering andchecking apparatus, as by means of dowelstor the like 40 on a support G,preferably in the form of a lamp box, said doWels being adapted toenterthe complementary recesses 3G before mentioned in the frameC. Thescale bar F spans the frame C and the light opening in `the support Gand is adapted to besecured in. one or'anotherfpredetermined fixedposition relative to the frame, C, as for instance by dowels or the like41 at the ends of the bar F, adapted to enter holes 42 in the support Gat opposite sides of the frame. The other scale bar F isslidablyfmounted on the first scale bar F so that it is always retainedat right. angles thereto but can be adjusted and secured at differentpoints length- Wise of the bar F by a securing device 43 `of anysuitable kind. The scale bars can then be placed so that suitableregister marks on the sheet can be registered accurately with the edgesof the bars and their positions noted by reference to the scales so thatthe same sheet can be repeatedly placed in the same position,

or diiierent sheets placediin exactly like positions on the frame C.This construction and arrangement is shown as being illustrative ofmeans for registering and checking the images or register marks on thesheet, but any iother suitable apparatus or devices may be employed.

The described process is simple and practical, and one of thegreat-advantages therethe purpose, and stored Without. regard to the aflexible film or sheet bearin eect of changingatmospheric conditions onthe size of the image, as theprocess enables the sheets to be t-reatedas described immediately beforethey are required for use, and

after oiling, varnishing or the like, the frame with the sheet in placetherein can be placed in a'photographic printing apparatus to produceone or more printing plates therefrom, either by contact or projectionmethods. After use, the sheet may beE stored-in any suitable Way, andWhenv again required, it ist only necessary toplace it on the frame andadjust it to the initial checking or registering, as after being oiled,the sheet changes Very little, if any, in size..V

While in the foregoing description, the process has been explained inconnection with the registration only ot one sheetor iilm, it isintended thatthe invention be understood as beingv particularlyapplicable to .the registration of a plurality of sheets, such as a setof color images from a single original subject, all of tvhich imagesmust register accurately with each other as Well as with the orialimage' or with the predetermined measurements thereoi.` This may bedone, either by registering each sheet separately directly with a masterimage as before described, when thesame size, or by successivelyregistering the sheets by means of any suit-Mp4 able registering andchecking device or guide when they are to be made to a di'erent scalethan the original.

lln each case, a set of images or the like may all be brought to uniformregister one `with another regardless of dierent or varying degrees oiinitial misregister ot the images on the sheets.

l claim as my invention: l. The hereindescribed process of treating animage to cause said image to register with a registering guide, whichconsists in treating said sheet to render it extensible, then stretchingsaid sheet as necessary While in such extensilble condition to cause theimage thereon to register as to size-or. position with said registeringguide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining it in suchstretched condition to cause the image to retain said registeredcondition.v

k2. The hereindescribed process of preparing flexible printing films orsheets 'to enable prints to be made in required register from an imageon'the sheet, which vconsists in holding the sheet so that the tensionthereoncan be altered, treating the sheet to r?- der it susceptible tochange in size or fo om, regulating the tension on the sheet asnecessary" While in such susceptible condition to cause the imagethereon to register as to size or position with reference to aregistering guide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining itunder tension to cause the im- ,x

age to retain said registered condition.

3. The hereindescribed process of preparing flexible printing films orsheets to enable photographic prints to be made in required registerfronranimage on the sheet, which consists in holding the sheet so thatthe tension thereon can be altered, treating the sheet to render itsusceptible to change in size or form, regulating the tension on thesheet as necessary while in such susceptible condition to cause theimage thereon to register as to size or/position with a registeringguide, and then treating said sheet While maintaining it under tensionto make the sheet trans arent and cause the image to retain saidregistered condition. r

4. The hereindescribedprocess of treating a flexible film or sheetbearing cause said image to register With a register- .ing guide, whichconsists in moistening said sheet to render it extensible, thenstretching said sheet as necessary While in such extensible condition tocause the image thereon to register as'to size or position with saidregistering guide, and then drying said sheet While maintaining it insuch stretched condiy tion to cause said ima e to retainsaid registeredcondition. g i

5. rl"he hereindescribed process of treating a Hexiblelilm or sheetbearin an image to cause said image to register with a registeringguide, which consists in moistening said sheet to render it extensible,then stretching said sheet as necessary While in such extensiblecondition to `cause the image thereon to an image to g registerapproximately as to sizeor position with said registering guide, dryingsaid sheet Whilemaintainingiit in such stretched condition, treatingsaid dried sheet again to renderit extensible, again stretching it tocause said image to register exactly With said registering guide, andthen drying said sheet While maintaining it in said stretched conditionto cause said image to retain said registered condition.

6. The hereindescribed process et treating` rac sheet to render it`vextensible, then stretching said sheet .as necessary While in suchextensible condition to cause the image thereon to ist registerapproximately as to size or position with said registering guide, dryingsaid sheet While maintaining itin such stretched condition, thentreating said sheet to render it 5 impervious to moisture, thenmanipulating the sheet to insure exact register of the image with saidregistering( guide, and Lthen treating the sheet While maintaining ittaut to cause the image to retain said registered condition.

7 The hereindescribed process of treating a flexible film or sheetbearing an image to cause said image to register with a registeringguide, which comprises holding the sheet so that the tension thereon canbe altered, subjecting the sheet to moistening and drying vtreatment andregulating the tension on the sheet as necessary during the/ treatmentthereof to cause the image on the sheet to register as to size orposition with ,said registering guide, and ltreating the sheet Whilemaintaining it under tension to cause the image to retain saidregistered condition. i

8. The hereindescribed process of prepar-l ing a flexible ilm or sheetand making prints in required register from an image on the sheet,comprising holding the sheet so that the tension thereon can be altered,treatingv the sheet to render it susceptible to change 1n size-or form,regulating the tensin on the sheet as necessary While in suchsusceptible condition to cause an image thereon to register as to sizeor position With reference to a registering guide, treating said sheetWhile maintaining it under `tension to cause the image to retain saidregistered condition, and then making prints from said sheet -While itis still maintained under tension in said registered condition.

9. The hereindescribed process of preparing a sheet of iexible materialbearing an image thereon from which aprint is to be made, whichincludes: conditioningl the sheet to render it susceptible to localizedchanges under variations of tension imposed on the sheet subjecting thesheet, While in such conditioned state, to varied tensions at diiierentportions thereof,I whereby to elect desired changes of the image as tosize, position .and/or location for obtaining register; and renderingthe sheet impervious to moisture.

10. The hereindescribed process of prepar# ing a sheet'of flexiblematerial bearing an imagle thereon from which a printis to be made, Wich includes: placing the sheet on suitable holding means and attachingthereto around the peri hery of the sheet With the sheet vsubstantial ytaut; subjecting desired'portions of the sheet to a treatment of liquidsolution characterized by its insolubility in Water, whereby to rendersuch portions extensible without rupture; and thereupon subjecting thefsheet to desired localized variations of tension and thus inducingchanges as to size, 'j i posltion and/or location of the image.

11. Thehereindescribed process of effecting register of an image on asheet of flexible material, from which a print is to be made, whichincludes the .following steps While the sheet, considered as anentirety, is held in a substantially taut condition: subjecting thesheet to moisture: subjecting the sheet'to varied tensions in differentareas thereof; drying the sheet; treating the sheet with a solutioninsoluble in Water; and subjecting the sheet to varied tensions. Y

12. The hereindescribed process of preparing a sheet of flexiblematerial bearing an im- :ige thereon from Which a print is to be made,which includes: conditioning the sheet to render it'susceptible to chanes at any desired portions Within the area t ereof under variations ofltension applied substantially in the plane of the sheet; subjecting thesheet While in such conditioned state to varied tensions at localizedpoints and in localized directions to thereby effect a change of theimageas to size, position and/or location relative to 0ther ports 'ofthe sheet and thus conform said image to a\ desired predeterminedregister and thereafter treating said sheet t0 maintain said registereddisposition of the image.

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

